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Following is a question by Dr the Hon Joseph Lee and an oral reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (January 10):
Question
It has been reported that the common facilities and building designs of new public housing estates fail to address the needs of the elderly. Many elderly people trip and fall at the corners in some building blocks as these corners are too narrow. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective numbers, broken down by districts and housing estates, of the elderly aged 65 or above living in public housing estates at present and their respective percentages in the total population in the housing estates; and
(b) whether it has considered formulating long-term public housing policies on provision of elderly housing to plan for, and provide, adequate building facilities, common facilities as well as ancillary housing facilities which cater for the needs and safety of the elderly in newly developed estates and old-style estates with ageing population based on the distribution of elderly population in various districts?
Reply:
Madam President,
My reply to the two-part question is as follows:
(a) As at the end of December 2006, the elderly population aged 65 or above living in public housing estates is about 320 000, accounting for 16% of the total population of these estates. As there are numerous public housing estates under the management of the Housing Authority, I would divide the territory into ten districts and report on the elderly population in each district and their respective percentages in the total estate populations of the districts. The information is at the Annex.
(b) In view of the growing elderly population in Hong Kong, the Housing Authority has been giving special attention to the needs of elderly tenants when constructing new public housing estates and improving facilities in existing ones, in order to provide them with a safe and convenient living environment.
The Housing Department (HD) has implemented the concept of ˇ§universal designˇ¨ in new public housing estates since 2002. Full-scale barrier free access has been provided in residential units and common areas in public housing blocks to cater for the need of the elderly. All entrances of the buildings, corridors and doors of individual flats are of ample width. Ramps and handrails have been installed at appropriate locations. Fittings such as non-slip floor tiles have been used.
As for common facilities, barrier free access has been provided in new housing estates to connect all housing blocks and major estate facilities. Recreational and leisure facilities suitable for the elderly, such as tai-chi areas, have also been provided.
Regarding existing public housing estates, the HD conducted a comprehensive inspection of the facilities in public housing estates in 2001 and drew up an improvement programme to enhance access for the elderly. Improvements include the construction of handrails and ramps along major staircases and provision of dropped kerbs and tactile strips. As at November 2006, the HD had completed the improvement works in 115 public housing estates, with the rest to be completed in 2006/07.
From time to time, the HD also solicits views from Estate Management Advisory Committees and Mutual Aid Committees. Having regard to their views and taking into consideration the population distribution and the needs of residents, HD will make improvements to estate facilities to cater for the needs of the elderly.
Ends/Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:38
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